By 9:23 a.m. on January 2, 2026, Canada’s 100 highest-paid CEOs had already earned what the average Canadian worker makes in an entire year. That striking milestone comes from a new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), highlighting just how wide income inequality has become in the country.

According to the report, the average worker earns $65,548 annually, while CEO compensation now averages $16.2 million a year—roughly 248 times more. That means top executives earn a full year of worker pay in just over eight working hours. Since 2020, CEO pay has jumped 49%, compared to a 15% increase for workers, who have effectively taken a pay cut once inflation is factored in.

CCPA senior economist David Macdonald says the time-based comparison is meant to make inequality easier to grasp. While CEO base salaries have remained relatively stable, bonuses and stock-based compensation now make up more than 84% of executive pay, driving the surge. Meanwhile, corporate profits in Canada have climbed to over $600 billion annually, even as many workers struggle with rising costs for housing, food, and essentials.

Researchers argue the gap reflects power, not productivity. DT Cochrane notes that weakened unions, job insecurity, and profit-driven compensation models leave workers with little leverage, while executives continue to benefit from soaring bonuses and favorable tax treatment.

Union leaders have been blunt in their response. Lana Payne, president of Unifor, called the disparity “outrageous and obscene,” warning that unchecked inequality is fueling frustration and discontent across the country.

Without meaningful changes to tax policy and worker protections, the CCPA warns the divide will only continue to grow—further cementing a system where corporate profits and executive pay rise, while everyday Canadians fall behind.